Cattle drives significantly impacted Texas by transforming its economy and society in the late 19th century. They facilitated the growth of the cattle ranching industry, making Texas a major supplier of beef to the eastern United States. This economic boom attracted settlers and entrepreneurs, leading to the development of towns along cattle trails, such as Abilene and Dodge City. Additionally, cattle drives contributed to the cultural identity of Texas, fostering a unique cowboy culture that remains influential today.
the market for cattle in texas was too small
It started in Texas
Texas Ranchers sent their longhorns on cattle drives because the demand of the cattle in Texas was low. But high in the north and east. Demand and supply affect the price of nearly everything that was bought and sold - not just the cattle.
Before railroads were built in Texas, cattle had to be herded on cattle drives to the nearest railroad. The first railroads in the United States ran from east to west. After the railroads were built that ran north and south, the Texas cattle ranchers had less distance to cover to reach a railroad for transport.
Some famous cattle trails in Texas were:Goodnight-Loving TrailGreat Western TrailChisholm TrailSedalia (Shawnee) Trail
The big major cattle drives ended around the early 1900s, when the railroads became more and more accessible for ranchers to herd their cattle to. Then came the engine-powered trucks that could be brought directly to the ranches to haul cattle away to the rail station. When that began, then that was officially when the cattle drives ended.
1860-1900
Before the arrival of the railways, cattle had to be herded to market, often over a long distance.
The birth of cattle drives in Texas is largely attributed to the aftermath of the Civil War and the subsequent demand for beef in the eastern United States. As ranchers sought to profit from the surplus of cattle in Texas, they began driving herds along established trails, such as the Chisholm Trail, to railheads in Kansas. This practice became prominent in the late 19th century, shaping the cattle industry and ranching culture in Texas.
The first railroads built in Texas were used to transport cattle from the open range to the Chicago markets. With their completion the age of cattle drives and cowboys came to an end.
It is demand and supply because it isn't asking the great plain's
Hereford, Texas is considered the beef capital of the world.